PM Modi inaugurates Kerala’s first metro line

On June 17, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kerala’s first metro line in Kochi.

• PM Modi inaugurated the first phase – 2 km of the total 25 km stretch – of the Kochi metro from Palarivattom station.
• Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan were among other dignitaries present at the inauguration ceremony.
• PM Modi along with other dignitaries and officials had a ride between the stations of Palarivattom to Pathadippalam of the Kochi Metro rail line.

Must Know Facts about Kochi Metro:

The Kochi Metro is the first in India to use Communication Based Train Control technology to maximise frequencies and minimise errors.

• Each station will showcase a theme, such as maritime history, Western Ghats as well as the local history of the city, among others. Moreover, each station on the Kochi Metro will have solar panels, which will focus on producing 35% of the total power usage.
• The coaches of Kochi Metro have been built by Alstom near Chennai, and have an Indian component of around 70%.
• Nearly 1,000 women and 23 transgenders have been selected to work on different roles in Kochi Metro rail system.
• The construction of the first phase of Kochi Metro was completed in a record four-year period. Construction began in 2013 and was tasked to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
• The project cost is estimatedat  5,180 crore.
• The metro line will be thrown open to public from June 19, 2017. The fare will vary from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of Rs. 30.

In Kochi, PM Modi also launched the PN Panicker National Reading Day – Reading Month Celebrations. Besides, Kochi1 mobile app was launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to stay connected to all transport systems.